Zuffa Boxing—spearheaded by Dana White and backed by TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC and WWE, along with Saudi Arabia’s Sela, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund—is set to launch in 2026. As part of its push to establish the league, TKO has thrown its support behind a bipartisan bill seeking to amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and the Muhammad Ali Act, paving the way for them to promote fights legally.
However, one key piece of the puzzle remains unresolved: a broadcast partner. Boxing currently finds its home on platforms like DAZN and Amazon Prime Video, with Netflix recently entering the mix through blockbuster events such as Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford. While speculation swirls about who Zuffa Boxing will ultimately align with, boxing insider Rick Glasser claims to have uncovered the answer.
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Zuffa Boxing secures deal with UFC’s partner
According to Rick Glasser, “A relevant TV Executive tells me the [Turki Alalshikh] & Dana White led Boxing series they will be putting on starting in 2026 is a Paramount/CBS deal. That’s great to hear. Congrats to [Turki Alalshikh], Dana White, & of course, powerhouse Nick Khan. To the victor go the spoils.” Earlier this year, the UFC secured a landmark $7.7 billion, seven-year media rights deal with Paramount Global for UFC broadcasts, effective from 2026.
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This agreement, covering the U.S., shifts UFC from its previous ESPN partnership to Paramount’s platforms, primarily Paramount+ for streaming live events, with select fights airing on CBS for broader exposure. The deal includes all UFC content—13 marquee numbered events, and 30 Fight Nights—emphasizing subscription-based access over traditional PPV models to maximize reach. Valued at roughly $1.1 billion annually, it’s one of the largest combat sports deals ever, reflecting UFC’s global popularity.
The Sports Business Journal has also revealed that an announcement for the “pick up rights to TKO’s new Zuffa Boxing league” partnership can come “as soon as next week.” TKO Group originally wanted to “bundle the Zuffa rights in the UFC deal, but ultimately decided to separate the two.” In the meantime, Roy Jones Jr. has shared his views on the new boxing league.
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Roy Jones Jr. claims Dana White is bad for boxing
UFC president Dana White is preparing to enter the boxing world with his Zuffa Boxing promotion, but not everyone is on board with his vision. Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. believes White’s plans could be catastrophic for the sport’s rich traditions. “So, it’s very bad for the sport of boxing, because they’re trying to turn boxing kind of into MMA, and that’s not good. Boxing has too much history. Boxing came with those belts before they got here,” Jones Jr. told MMA Knockout.
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A key issue is White’s attempt to push changes to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, which could allow Zuffa Boxing to create its own titles and rankings—effectively bypassing traditional sanctioning bodies. “And a lot of people, like myself, are not going to be happy with that,” Jones Jr. added. “I don’t like it, no… Boxing is just different.”
Like it or not—even if Roy Jones Jr. doesn’t—Zuffa Boxing is on the way, and they’re not going anywhere. If the latest reports prove true, fans could soon see a new era where streaming boxing is not only more accessible but also far more affordable than in years past. The big question now: what do you make of Zuffa Boxing’s rumored partnership with Paramount?